Hassan Muhammad Aswad’s injuries and torture serve as a terrible reminder of the widespread human rights abuses that continue to take place today.
Introduction
In June 2021, Baghdad police detained 28-year-old Iraqi man Hassan Muhammad Aswad on terrorism-related suspicions. His sight, hearing, and legs were all severely damaged as a result of the severe torture he endured while being held captive.
Background
The situation involving Hassan Muhammad Aswad is not unusual. Reports of arbitrary arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killings have all been associated with human rights violations in Iraq. With the development of ISIS, the country’s long history of bloodshed and instability has become even worse.
On the flimsy grounds that he was connected to an explosion in Bahrain, Hassan Muhammad Aswad was detained. He endured torture and other cruel treatment while being held in detention for two years. Aswad endured continuous beatings, electrocutions, and sexual assaults. His family was not permitted to visit him, and he was denied medical attention.
The torturing of Aswad was not an uncommon occurrence. Many instances of torture and other cruel treatment have been reported by human rights organizations in Iraq. The administration has been charged with using torture to stifle dissent and extract confessions.
Torture of Hassan Muhammad Aswad
Security personnel detained Aswad in Baghdad in June 2021. He was brought to a detention facility where he was tortured with harsh beatings, electric shocks, and other methods. For several months, he was detained incommunicado, and his family was unaware of his location at the time.
Afterward, Aswad’s family was informed of his location and permitted to see him. He had burns on his hands and feet in addition to losing his sight and hearing, and they were horrified to see the extent of his wounds. Aswad was ultimately allowed to leave detention, but since then, his health has drastically declined.
Response from the International Community
Human rights organizations and governments all around the world have denounced the torture of Aswad. His torture has been the subject of a plea for an impartial investigation by the UN, and the human rights record of the Bahraini government has drawn the ire of various nations.
The government has refused to address the issue despite widespread criticism. Aswad’s severe condition was not the result of torture, according to the administration, which also rejected allowing an impartial examination of it. The administration has also been charged with taking revenge on people who speak out against violations of human rights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hassan Muhammad Aswad’s torture serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the widespread human rights violations that persist today. The use of torture violates international law and runs against the core ideas of equality, fairness, and human dignity. The Aswad case emphasizes how crucial it is for governments to uphold the rule of law and every person’s rights, regardless of their political connections or opinions.
Furthermore, Aswad’s situation illustrates a troubling tendency that needs to be addressed: a lack of responsibility and openness. More international pressure is required to encourage respect for human rights in the nation and other nations that abuse human rights, as seen by the government’s refusal to acknowledge the issue and its obstruction of an impartial investigation into Aswad’s death.
The international community must keep cooperating to advance justice and responsibility for violations of human rights all across the world. In the end, Hassan Muhammad Aswad’s torture serves as a wake-up call for all people, nations, and organizations to defend human rights and fight for a society where torture and other types of violence are not permitted.
References
- [1] https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2021/09/30/Iraqi-Federal-Police-accused-of-torturing-man-releasing-him-with-no-charges-Reports
- [2] https://twitter.com/AlArabiya_Eng/status/1443632770429882370
